Ryu's movements are directed using the console gamepad. Dragon busts scattered throughout the regions provide the means to save player progress, permitting gameplay to be resumed at a later time. Access to these regions are obtained by fighting enemies, finding keys, or solving puzzles, inspired by the mechanics of The Legend of Zelda video games.

The game world is made up of several distinct regions, most of which are connected via the city of Tairon, which functions as a hub. In keeping with his ninja persona, his character can interact with the game environment to perform acrobatic feats, such as running along and jumping off walls, swinging from pole to pole, or running across water. Viewed from a third person over-the-shoulder perspective, in typical action-adventure fashion Ryu starts the game with basic, low-level abilities and weapons that can be upgraded as he progresses, by discovering or buying items. Ninja Gaiden develops its narrative thread through the actions of its player-controlled protagonist, Ryu Hayabusa. Ninja Gaiden gameplay screenshot, showing the game's protagonist Ryu Hayabusa fighting against enemies. Ninja Gaiden Sigma was released for the Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One as part of the Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection on June 10th, 2021. Ninja Gaiden was followed by Ninja Gaiden II (2008) and Ninja Gaiden 3 (2012).

In 2007, Ninja Gaiden was ported to PlayStation 3 as Ninja Gaiden Sigma, with extra content and graphical improvements this was released on the portable PlayStation Vita as Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus. Team Ninja released two packs of downloadable content, which were also incorporated into a reworked version, Ninja Gaiden Black (2005). Ninja Gaiden was critically acclaimed and sold 362,441 copies in North America in the first month of release however, Japanese sales were poor. Making use of the Xbox's internet connectivity, Tecmo promoted Ninja Gaiden with a series of international online contests record-breaking numbers of players competed for places in the live final held at the 2004 Tokyo Game Show. The game's violence created difficulties obtaining content ratings, and it was censored in some regions. Tecmo developed Ninja Gaiden for five years, targeting a western audience. It was inspired by Tecmo's Ninja Gaiden series, and is set in the same continuity as Team Ninja's Dead or Alive fighting games. Players control Ryu Hayabusa, a master ninja, in his quest to recover a stolen sword and avenge the slaughter of his clan. Ninja Gaiden is an action-adventure game developed by Team Ninja for Xbox, released by Tecmo in 2004.

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